Haven Hill History Hike - Enjoy the Fall Colors and Area History

/ Highland State Recreation Area/
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Fall is a great time of year to get outside in Michigan to enjoy the beautiful autumn colors, and if you visit Highland State Recreation Area between October 10th and 18th, you can combine the beautiful trails of SE Michigan's only Natural National Landmark with a self-guided historical tour of Edsel and Eleanor's Haven Hill Estate. With four different, well-marked trails, you can enjoy walking through nature, visiting historical Ford estate features located throughout the park. The trails are open during park hours and is free with a Michigan Recreation Passport.

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/ Highland State Recreation Area/ /
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John Fitzgerald

The Friends of Highland Recreation Area (FOHRA) volunteer organization was established in 2007, and is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt non-profit organization operating under lease agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Within one of the most picturesque, fascinating, and historically significant state parks in southeast lower Michigan, our goal is to combine the former Haven Hill estate history with Highland Recreation Area’s existing amenities, wilderness, and recreation.

Haven Hill Festival at Highland Recreation Area - Saturday, August 29

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After a change of date last year to October due to the park roads being resurfaced throughout the summer months, the Haven Hill Festival is back to the last Saturday in August, which this year is the 29th day of the month.

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Come to the Haven Hill Festival on Saturday, August 29 and enjoy a celebration of the amazing natural and historic resources of the Highland State Recreation Area in Highland/White Lake, Michigan. The Haven Hill section of this beautiful park was once the country estate home of Edsel and Eleanor Ford and their family. This year’s event will feature several summer activities including the Cedar Creek hiking, biking, and equestrian trail, Ford automobiles on display, an 1860’s Era Base Ball Game, Live Bands, Haven Hill history and Art displays, Walking Tours, Children’s Activities, Summer Foods and Beverages, an Antiques and Collectibles fundraising sale, and more!

The Festival is to be held on Saturday, August 29, 2020 between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. The primary location, at the Goose Meadow Picnic site, will feature a large shade and shelter tent with history displays, the vintage base ball game, Ford automobiles, children’s activities and summer food and beverages. Throughout the Festival the partially restored Haven Hill Gate House at the entrance to the park will be a venue for video shows as well as history and art displays. The renovated garage will be open to the public during Festival hours.

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The free family event promotes awareness of the wonderful natural and historic resources that make up Highland State Recreation Area and the Haven Hill National Natural Landmark. A free shuttle van will be provided to transport visitors from Goose Meadow to other park activity locations.

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John Fitzgerald

The Friends of Highland Recreation Area (FOHRA) volunteer organization was established in 2007, and is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt non-profit organization operating under lease agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Within one of the most picturesque, fascinating, and historically significant state parks in southeast lower Michigan, our goal is to combine the former Haven Hill estate history with Highland Recreation Area’s existing amenities, wilderness, and recreation.

Free Fall Color Tours of Haven Hill This Saturday

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The Haven Hill Festival will feature free shuttle bus rides up and down historic Haven Hill to and from the main Festival grounds at Goose Meadow on Saturday. The forests of Highland State Recreation Area are reaching full peak color this weekend and the free shuttle rides will allow visitors to see the beauty along the winding (and in some portions steep!) Haven Hill road up to Edsel and Eleanor Ford’s former Carriage House and Lodge site.

The shuttle will be a rare opportunity for many folks to receive a free and easy bus ride up and down Haven Hill. Some sections of this beautiful road have a high incline and the bus ride will make it easy for otherwise challenged would-be hikers. A historic photo display and Friends of Highland Recreation Area members will be available at the Hill top of the Hill to provide historic information about Edsel and Eleanor Ford’s era.

The top of Haven Hill is a gorgeous sight during the Fall color season. Come to the Haven Hill Festival on Saturday to enjoy the beauty of your state park… especially with a Free ride up and down Haven Hill!

Recreation Passport required for free entry.

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Haven Hill Festival with Fall Colors - Saturday, October 19

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Fall is here and the 2019 Haven Hill Festival is coming on Saturday, October 19!

Everyone will enjoy the beauty, nature, and history of Haven Hill at Highland State Recreation Area with a backdrop of gorgeous Fall colors. In Goose Meadow, the Novi Brass Band will accompany Vintage Base Ball as the Barn Stormers host the Gate House Nine starting at 10:00 am. Festival foods and beverages will be served during Festival hours between 10 am and 3 pm.

Haven Hill history displays at the Gatehouse, Edsel Ford Barn, and on the Hill will inform the public of the State Park's amazing history. Bring your family and enjoy the Haven Hill Festival this Fall on October 19. Visit www.fohravolunteers.org for more information.

Recreation Passport required for Free state park entry.


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John Fitzgerald

The Friends of Highland Recreation Area (FOHRA) volunteer organization was established in 2007, and is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt non-profit organization operating under lease agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Within one of the most picturesque, fascinating, and historically significant state parks in southeast lower Michigan, our goal is to combine the former Haven Hill estate history with Highland Recreation Area’s existing amenities, wilderness, and recreation.

Vintage Base Ball Players WANTED

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The Haven Hill Barn Stormers Base Ball Club is accepting enthusiasts to join them in a vintage 1860’s exhibition on Saturday, October 19, 2019 at the Haven Hill Festival. The Stormers will host the Gate House Nine ball club starting at 10:00 am. Ball players report at 9:00 am. The match will be held at their Goose Meadow Ball Field in Highland State Recreation Area in White Lake, Michigan.

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Have you never played vintage base ball before? Sign up and come learn how easy and enjoyable it is to play ball the way it was back in the 1860’s. It will be a base ball experience that you will cherish forever. No gloves, no spitting, no bad behavior, just great times in the outdoors and great fun! Free Vintage ball cap, lunch meal, and digital team photograph for every volunteer ballist. Ballists ages 13 and older please. Bat boys and girls accepted from age 5 to 12 with parent.

Fans (cranks) and family come on out to the field and watch the match even if you choose not to play. Kids hit and run the bases at an inning break during the game.

Please contact the team via the Friends of Highland Recreation Area at (248) 494-8919, or email them at fohravolunteers@gmail.com for more information.

The Haven Hill Barn Stormers base ball club can also be found on Facebook.

FOHRA is a 501c3 volunteer organization providing dedicated service to the Michigan State park at Highland State Recreation Area, 5200 Highland Road (M-59), White lake, Michigan, 48383.

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John Fitzgerald

The Friends of Highland Recreation Area (FOHRA) volunteer organization was established in 2007, and is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt non-profit organization operating under lease agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Within one of the most picturesque, fascinating, and historically significant state parks in southeast lower Michigan, our goal is to combine the former Haven Hill estate history with Highland Recreation Area’s existing amenities, wilderness, and recreation.

Youth Volunteer Day at Haven Hill Gatehouse in Highland State Recreation Area

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FOHRA Youth Volunteer Day!

Saturday, September 21

9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Please join FOHRA for a fun day at the Haven Hill Gatehouse in Highland State Recreation Area. Volunteers ages 11-17 are welcome! Saturday, September 21, 2019. 9 AM to 3 PM.

Planned activities include:

  • Introduction to Haven Hill history

  • Painting of Gatehouse

  • Grounds maintenance.

Please pack a sack lunch. Bottled water and prepackaged snacks will be provided to volunteers by FOHRA. Weather appropriate clothing is suggested.

If verification for volunteer hours is needed, please bring required forms to day of volunteering for FOHRA signature.


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John Fitzgerald

The Friends of Highland Recreation Area (FOHRA) volunteer organization was established in 2007, and is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt non-profit organization operating under lease agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Within one of the most picturesque, fascinating, and historically significant state parks in southeast lower Michigan, our goal is to combine the former Haven Hill estate history with Highland Recreation Area’s existing amenities, wilderness, and recreation.